Figuring It Out Hailey Miller

This is a week when I’d usually share a solo episode but I had a conversation that I just couldn’t wait to let out because it’s with my friend Michelle. Michelle and I know each other through our boyfriends who happen to live in the same building. 
  A few weeks ago, I was scrolling through Tik Tok and came across a post from my friend Michelle. Michelle usually shares fun TikTok’s of her boyfriend Jackson (sometimes without him knowing – like when he’s sleeping!) but this one was different. 
  In this one Michelle shared pictures of her life the past 6 months struggling with topical steroid withdrawal. 
 
TSW is XYZ
  I knew Michelle was going through something and that it was affecting her skin, but I had no idea the severity of it.  I thought it was so incredibly brave and knew it would help so many people. I saw her a few hours later watching rugby with a group of friends and she told me it had gone viral with over 2 million views and people asking her questions and saying they were struggling too.  
  As we were chatting about it I realized I wanted to sit down with her to learn more and share her story with others. She was so excited (and nervous to share) but also really wanted to raise awareness about topical steroids and the potential impact that so many people are experiencing but we don’t know about. 
  When Michelle was 16 she went to the dermatologist to treat her eczema and left with a low potency topical steroid - very common for treating eczema. Over the next 10 years, the dose stopped working and she continued to get increased doses to the point where it was 650x the potency of hydrocortisone. 650! And then, it stopped working entirely and her body went into withdrawal. 
  For 4 months, she was in pain with bruising all over her body, itchy skin, couldn’t wash her hair or get into the shower without pain, and was emotionally withdrawn. She couldn’t leave her house and if you know Michelle, you know she is so social - always planning with friends and family. 
 
 During our chat we talk about:
 
What topical steroid withdrawal (TSW) is  How she knew that’s what she was experiencing and when it happened Her symptoms How it impacted her life Her support system and how critical it has been for her both mentally and physically  Advocating for yourself at the doctor and seeking multiple opinions Gratitude for the little things in life that we often take for granted  How she is working to heal and tackling the journey ahead    Michelle and I both hope that this conversation raises awareness and any one who is using steroids understands the potential risks and advocates for their health. 

Lindsey Metselaar is a native New Yorker and host of We Met At Acme podcast, which has amassed over 6 million downloads since its creation in 2017. Lindsey also has a food blog called Don't Expect Salads (@dontexpectsalads) with over 110,000 followers. Since creating We Met At Acme, Lindsey has expanded to touring over the country and also continues to host mixers and events around NYC.



Getting dumped on her 27th birthday led her to creating a community Vulnerability to connect us and help us feel less alone  Needs and wants and how to create your own list  The power of familiarity and safety  Comparing her relationship with her parents  How to shift your mindset to enjoy dating  Her dating rules  Using “I” statements to be more vulnerable  How she met her husband  How to go deep when you’re in an LTR  Showing up with confidence Working on yourself to get what you want in a relationship & life   
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In this solo episode, I am reflecting and remembering a very special person. Then I’ll dive into what I’m loving and learning lately including: 
Crunchmaster crackers  Mary’s Gone Crackers  Skims Bodysuits New Balance Sneakers Vuori Leggings SLT Tread  Marianna Hewitt Vision Writing Prompts  Follow Me on Instagram

Ashley is a certified cooperative childbirth educator, birth and postpartum doula, and lactation counselor. She is the founder of Birthsmarter, which provides relevant and inclusive education for expectant parents living in NYC and virtually, across the world. With over a decade of experience supporting new parents, Ashley provides one-on-one support, group classes, lectures, and distance learning for the perinatal population and the professionals who serve them. After the birth of her first child in 2014, Ashley became driven to understand birth physiology on a deeper level. Better for it, she coined The Three Actions™; the core of Birthsmarter’s curriculum. Her fresh perspective on pregnancy, childbirth, and parenting is now sought after by individuals, brands, and media outlets. Ashley sits on the board of CEA/MNY and ProNatal Fitness.




Education is so important to help you advocate for yourself to remove fear The anxiety of becoming a new parent and how to manage it Mom (and dad) guilt, how they’re different how to navigate your relationship dynamics to mitigate resentment and maintain  What a doula’s job is  How to develop a birth plan & questions to consider to set yourself up to have a birth you feel great about  Why educating yourself on what it means to give birth both physiologically and emotionally can help you have a better experience  Who you need on your medical team Why finding a doctor who is patient-centered is critical to your experience  How the medical system impacts the birthing and parenting experience  How we’ve been fear-mongered into thinking  What key information that’s missing from mainstream that she’s using Birthsmarter to help  Common mistakes people make when they’re preparing to have a baby  How parents can trust themselves with new babies (it’s scary!)  Why having babies is an incredible time for reflection and an opportunity to choose what type of parent we want to be   Why being at peace when you’re going to give birth can help the birthing process   
 
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In this solo episode, I’m sharing a quote from the new Jonah Hill doc, Stutz, what I’m loving lately, and reflecting on part 2 of my conversation with Alli Magier as it relates to getting to the root cause, personalized testing, and fertility.
 
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Episode with Dr. Shannon Ritchie
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Alli is a Registered Dietitian and Certified Life Coach, and the Founder & CEO of Well By Alli.
She has a Masters degree in Clinical Nutrition and Dietetics from New York University and completed her internship at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center.  She also received her Life Coaching Certification from the NYU School of Professional Studies.
Alli is a fertility and women's health expert. She helps women get to the root cause of their symptoms from post birth control to post baby through nutrition and functional medicine testing. She also helps women achieve optimal health for themselves and baby throughout their entire pregnancies. Whether you are on birth control, trying to conceive, going through IVF or IUI, Alli is there every step of the way. 
Functional testing, personalized plans & accountability  Mindful eating Lifestyle essentials & basics  Eating for fertility Essential vitamins and minerals  The importance of magnesium and the different kinds  Advocating for yourself at the doctor’s office  LINKS: 
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